Don’t give whole cashews to children under 4; cashew spread on bread may offer a more suitable texture, provided the childcare setting’s allergy arrangements and food policy allow it. The AH Terra and Jumbo cashew spreads examined contain 612 and 629 kcal per 100 g respectively, so ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added salt’ doesn’t mean a product is low in calories. Consider how much you use and the lunch as a whole, and follow the storage instructions for the variant you choose.
You’re looking for a cashew spread for your child’s childcare lunch, but don’t want to pack whole nuts for a child under 4. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children of this age because of the risk of choking.
You choose products for several children and need to consider allergen information, the food policy and the storage instructions for the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information for prepacked products is provided on the label.
You want to know how much energy the spread adds, and avoid confusing ‘unsalted’ or ‘no oil’ with low-calorie. A child’s energy needs vary and change with age, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
First check whether cashew is allowed and what texture is suitable for the child’s age. Then compare the nutritional values for the amount you’ll use, and check that the pack size works for the childcare setting’s usage and storage arrangements.
The European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for solid foods to carry the ‘low energy’ claim. This is a threshold for that nutrition claim, not a dietary target for a child.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and age | Don’t choose whole nuts for children under 4; check the texture of the spread. | When I’m putting together lunch for a toddler, I don’t want to offer whole nuts because of the choking risk. Around 33% of consumers rank an age-appropriate texture as their top purchasing priority. |
| Energy per amount | Compare values per 100 g and work them out for the amount actually used; a smaller portion doesn’t make the product low in energy. | When I want to estimate the energy in a spread, I consider the amount in the whole lunch, not just what’s on the pack. Around 27% of consumers prioritise energy per amount used. |
| Allergens and childcare policy | Check the individual allergy plan, the childcare setting’s arrangements, and both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the label. | When I’m arranging food for childcare, I want to know whether cashew and any potential cross-contact allergens are allowed. Around 27% of consumers put allergens and setting-specific arrangements first. |
| Preparation and storage | Choose a pack size that suits usage and follow the storage instructions for that exact variant. | When I’m organising lunch for several children, the pack needs to suit the storage available and the planned usage. Around 13% of consumers start by considering practical preparation and storage. |
No added salt doesn’t remove the choking risk posed by whole nuts for young children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
Don’t choose whole cashews for this age group. Only consider a suitable nut spread on bread if the childcare setting’s allergy arrangements and policy allow it.
The preparation method alone tells you nothing about the energy content. According to its ingredients list, Duyvis Cashews Original also contains salt and sugar ingredients.
Check the nutritional information and ingredients separately. Don’t let a preparation claim determine whether the product is suitable for lunch.
A product with cashew as its only ingredient still contains cashew, and the label may also list potential cross-contact allergens.
Check the allergy plan, the childcare setting’s arrangements and the full allergen information for the variant you choose.
The AH Terra and Jumbo cashew spreads examined have different storage instructions. A pack that doesn’t suit the storage available may therefore be impractical.
Follow the instructions on the pack you choose and make sure the quantity suits planned usage.
The options examined include cashew spread and whole unsalted cashews.
Jumbo’s 100% Cashew Spread is an option for spreading on bread; Jumbo Unsalted Cashews are the whole-nut option.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews are a whole-nut product for further preparation.
Duyvis Cashews Original is an oven-roasted cashew variant with a savoury flavour.
Lidl Netherlands lists unsalted cashews in a 500 g pack, available in store only.
The ALDI product page lists Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashews, 250 g.
These Joybuy products are whole cashews. They may be suitable for further preparation or for adults, but not as a whole-nut snack for children under 4.
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The stated energy per 100 g can help you calculate how much is included in the lunch; these are whole nuts, not suitable as a whole-nut snack for children under 4.
Ingredients: 100% cashew kernels.
Energy: 604 kcal per 100 g.
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You can use the nutritional information to calculate the energy in a measured amount; these whole nuts aren’t suitable as a snack for children under 4.
Product variant: roasted and unsalted.
Energy: 596 kcal per 100 g.
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The nutritional information can help you calculate the energy per amount used; don’t give these whole nuts as a snack to children under 4.
Ingredients: cashew kernels and salt.
Energy: 679 kcal per 100 g.
Salt: 1,2 g per 100 g.
Yes. A smaller amount of the same product provides less energy when calculated. AH Terra’s label gives a serving size of 15 g; at 612 kcal per 100 g, that works out at 91,8 kcal. This isn’t a recommended portion for a toddler, and it doesn’t make the product low in calories. Energy needs vary from child to child and change with age.
No, follow the instructions on the pack for the exact variant. AH Terra 100% cashew spread says to refrigerate after purchase at a maximum of 7°C; Jumbo’s 100% Cashew Spread says to store in a cool, dry place.
Check all the information on the label, as well as the arrangements for the child and the childcare setting. The NVWA says allergen information for prepacked products is provided on the label; the availability of this information doesn’t mean the product is suitable for someone with a cashew allergy.
RIVM/KIDDI advises following the Hygiene Code for Small Institutions or another approved hygiene code that covers the work being carried out. Everyone involved in food processes must follow that code. This is hygiene guidance, not a product-specific safety approval.
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 applied to Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashew Nuts, 170 g, barcode 2003020120930, with a best-before date of 23-09-2026, because of possible metal fragments. Don’t eat that specific pack. The warning doesn’t apply to other packs or batches.
